Unemployment rate surges, more jobs lost despite lockdowns ending

The unemployment rate surged to 5.2 percent in October as more people looked for work ahead of lockdowns easing in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. 

More than 46,000 jobs were lost. ACOSS says behind the headline figures, long term unemployment is chronic with 826,000 Australians out of work for more than 12 months.

ACOSS says 826,000 Australians are now "long term employed" with the level rivalling the early 1990s recession.

We hear from Melbourne women Donna Bennett who tells The World Today she lives on $50 a week after paying the rent.